MGM Resorts International announced today an exciting new partnership designating MGM Resorts as a “Proud Partner of the New York Yankees.” This collaboration is set to deliver exclusive VIP experiences to both MGM Rewards members and baseball fans alike. Among these perks are opportunities to watch batting practice from the warning track and even throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium. Additionally, MGM Resorts will have prominent brand placement throughout Yankee Stadium, including on LED signage, first and third base rotational signage, and its logo displayed on the back of the pitcher’s mound during live local television broadcasts of select games.
Commitment to community and fans:
“We remain committed to investing in the community while collaborating with the New York Yankees to provide unparalleled experiences for baseball fans,” said Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts CEO & President, in the company’s press release. “Our company has owned and operated Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway for the past five years. As we continue working to secure a full commercial casino license at Empire City, this partnership allows us to further develop these properties to their potential, while providing the world-class hospitality guests have come to expect from the MGM Resorts brand.”
Michael Tusiani, New York Yankees Senior Vice President of Partnerships, expressed enthusiasm about the new alliance. “We are excited to partner with MGM Resorts this season. Through branding displayed on signage inside Yankee Stadium and integrated into our television broadcasts, the MGM Resorts brand will only see increased exposure and recognition for its resort and casino properties—especially for the nearby Empire City Casino.”
Looking ahead, MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino plans to host New York Yankees-themed fan activities and experiences involving both active Major League Baseball players and alumni. Ed Domingo, President and COO of MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino, highlighted the benefits of this partnership: “This alliance with the Yankees allows us to create unique and engaging opportunities for guests and baseball fans alike. Empire City sits less than two miles from the Bronx border and is not only the gaming entertainment destination of choice for Bronxites but also the longtime employer of hundreds of team members who call the Bronx home. We are well positioned to significantly increase that number when a full-scale commercial casino license is secured.”
Expanding gaming and entertainment partnerships:
In November 2018, MGM Resorts and Major League Baseball formed a groundbreaking partnership in the U.S. and Japan, designating MGM Resorts as the first “Official Gaming Partner of MLB” and “Official Entertainment Partner of MLB.” Additionally, MGM Resorts has been an “Official Partner of MLB Players, Inc.” since 2022.
MGM Resorts is deeply committed to promoting responsible gaming education and building community partnerships to support individuals who may struggle with gambling. The Company uses GameSense to facilitate positive, transparent, and proactive conversations with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly. GameSense is an industry-leading responsible gaming program first developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). Furthermore, MGM Resorts continues its collaboration with the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Have A Game Plan.
As playny.com reports, the days of off-limits online gambling in New York are coming to an end. Legal sports betting in New York is now live, and it has quickly become the leading market in the U.S., crossing $2 billion in state tax revenue in just over two years. Despite this progress, those wishing to play online slots, table games, or poker in New York still face legal restrictions. Various bills aiming to change this have surfaced over the past few years, but online casinos in New York remain illegal. However, proponents are optimistic about the potential legalization of NY online casinos and online poker by 2025.